“Bear with me,” he pleaded. “I am not sleepy, and you wish to turn out the lights and leave me in the darkness to ponder my sins.”
“It is my solemn duty to turn them out at once if you are going to do that.”
“I protest. Hold on just a minute, and I’ll swallow the nauseous stuff. Seriously, Miss Ponsonby, don’t you think—all advantages and disadvantages taken into consideration—that it is a good thing for a woman to be spoiled?”
“I am not certain. What do you mean by spoiled?”
“Oh, womanly will do for a definition.”
“Is Mrs. Badgerly womanly?”
“Not in the completest sense, but womanly enough to be spoiled—to base all her demands upon her charms, and not upon her rights.”
“I will think that over. It presents a field for interesting thought. But do drink your medicine.”
“Not until you have told me what you really think.”
“I think you leave no place for the women with no charms. Has she no rights either?”